ATLAS - It's more than a year behind schedule, but development of a farmers market "is actually happening" at the former Bi-Lo at Routes 54 and 61.

"We are working on it every day," said Jarret Cohen, of Allentown. "It is taking a lot longer than we would have hoped. It was like an onion, where we peeled back the layers and found more and more issues. The building needed a lot of work."

Cohen and John Miller, of Mahanoy City, are leading leased the building from Marvin E. and Lena Klinger, owners of Dornsife-based school bus operation Marvin E. Klinger Inc., with hopes of opening the market in spring 2012.

The 25,000-square-foot building is structurally sound, he said, but was otherwise a "complete mess." The electric, plumbing and the natural-gas heating systems needed a complete overhaul. They're still working on repairing the heating system, but the heavy-duty work is completed, he said last week.

Cohen said he couldn't give a date, but said the market would "absolutely" open.

"I don't want to disappoint anyone with a projected date," he said. "People assumed it would never open because it did not open in 2012."

Room for 70-80 vendors

Cohen said the building would have room for as many as 70 or 80 vendors who would sell a variety of products, including fresh produce, baked bread and other foods as well as leather goods, jewelry and clothing. More than 40 vendors from various locations, including Lancaster County, have either shown interest or are committed to the market, he said.

"We have had so many calls in the past year," Cohen said. "There are a few categories of vendors that we are still trying to identity the right person for. We are really in a position where we can pick and choose the best vendors."

Cohen said the market would be open Saturdays, with hopes of a second day being added.

SHAMOKIN - The following hearings took place Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III. Defendants ordered to appear for plea court in Northumberland County Court, Sunbury, can plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

n Steven Lezama Rivera, 22, of Shamokin, waived to court charges of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct related to an alleged disturbance May 11 outside Tiffany Lounge, 58 E. Independence St., Shamokin

Police said Rivera was observed shouting and shoving people the downtown bar about 1:30 a.m. while bar employees attempted to calm him down and prevent him from entering the bar.

He continued to act disorderly in the presence of officers and resisted them while he was placed in handcuffs, rolling on the ground and kicking at officers.

Charges were filed by Cpl. Bryan Primerano.

n A preliminary hearing to hear charges of retail theft and criminal conspiracy against Alexis Hernandez-Roman, 27, of 717 E. Dewart St., Shamokin, was continued.

Coal Township Patrolman Matthew Hashuga said Roman and his friend Norberto Ortiz-Alvarez were seen taking $400 to $500 worth of electronic merchandise from Wal-Mart Supercenter in Coal Township.

n Lynn M. Maurer, 45, of 543 Main St., Ranshaw, waived to court a charge of retail theft for allegedly stealing $116.09 worth of merchandise from Wal-Mart Supercenter in Coal Township on March 18.

The charge was filed by Coal Township Patrolman Matthew Hashuga.

HARRISBURG - Safeguarding schools from violence remains a live issue as state lawmakers work this week to approve the next state budget before Sunday's deadline.

The issue is being addressed on two fronts with legislation moving to expand the scope of state school safety grants and a pending budget appropriation, said Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati, R-25, Jefferson County.

"I am currently asking for $10 million (for safe school grants) in the budget," he said.

Scarnati is involved in the negotiations with Gov. Tom Corbett and House leaders to shape the final 2013-14 state budget.

The House is acting on Scarnati's Senate-approved bill to allow schools to use these state grants to help pay for school resource officers and emergency training and violence prevention programs.

The House Education Committee approved the bill last week and it will head to a chamber floor vote. The measure was amended to give priority for awarding grants that would support school resource officers who have completed additional state-recommended training relating to interaction with children and adolescents in a school setting.

This amendment is acceptable to senators, said Scarnati.

Rep. Kevin Haggerty, D-112, Dunmore, has called for state funding to place school resource officers in elementary school buildings since he took office in January.

He plans to offer a bill amendment to provide more state funding for safety grants than what Scarnati is seeking.

"I just don't think $10 million is enough," he said.

But Haggerty said he will still vote for the bill.

"We've had progress and movement on key pieces of what was recommended to us," said Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20, Lehman Twp., who as chairwoman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedess Committee, held hearings on the school safety issue earlier this year.

At one hearing, educators from Northeast Pennsylvania said policymakers should take a comprehensive approach to school safety, focusing not only on the threat from shooters, but also violence stemming from domestic disputes, child custody cases and gang activities.

Baker raised school safety issues when she met last week with William Harner, Corbett's nominee for state education secretary. He is currently superintendent of Cumberland Valley School District. The senator is weighing potential legislation to revamp the state Office of State Schools.

Meanwhile, the Senate approved a bill last week to allow the use of audio recordings on school buses for disciplinary and security purposes provided the local school board approves a policy authorizing the practice and notifies students and parents of the policy. The measure which goes to the House provides an exception from state wiretapping laws for the use of audio recordings in these circumstances only.

"The use of video recording devices on school buses has served as an effective deterrent to physical violence," said Sen. Richard Alloway, R-33, Chambersburg, the bill sponsor. "Extending this protection by allowing audio recording would be a valuable tool in resolving disputes and preventing verbal bullying."

Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com

SHAMOKIN - The Shamokin-Coal Township Public Library has announced that memorials for the period of May 30 to June 18 have been presented for the following persons:

Theodore Bakowicz by Rosann and Tom Hall.

Frank Baranoski by Ann Fidler and family, Barbara Oshinskie, Tom Sanders.

Jim Benvenuto by Gere Bonchak and George Dorko.

John Bickert by Shamokin High School Class of 1969.

Robert F. Bower by Joe, John and Maria Bressi.

Walter Boyer by Tom and Rhonda Eckman, Mary E. Kerstetter, Gail Carroll and Ellen Erb, Margaret and Frank Konopka, Irvin Liachowitz, Jim and Diane Luberecki, Attorney and Mrs. Vincent Makowski, Matt and Lori Schiccatano and family, Shamokin Area Education Association, Greg and Donna Wisloski and Darwin "Yut" Tobias.

Henry "Pete" Brown by Mary Jane and Jerome Barcavage, Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Dolly Brown, Joyce L. Burd, Cal and Roseanne Harris, Kathy and Abby James, Deborah Kashnoski and Carol Meisberger, Ronald Kuhns, Paul Williams family.

Dr. Joy Brown by Loretta Brown.

Edward C. Chervanik by Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Keith and Kathy Jeremiah.

Matthew Crowl by Robert and Nancy Pasco and son.

Leonard Dettore by Thomas and Sherlyn Fiorey.

Richard Drumheiser by Betty Gilger, Rita Ginitz and Warren Walters.

Mary Duke by Joe, John and Maria Bressi.

Anna Ebersole by Gere Bonchak.

Albert V. Gratti by Bill and Pat Barrett, Peggy Brosius, Danny and Sandee Ciesluk and family, Marian Edmondson, William and Shirley Golden, Mike and Shirley Gratti, Allen and Irene Grow, Kathy and Abby James, Shamokin Senior Action Center, Charmaine and Barry Smith.

Katheryn M. Graykoskie by Joe, John and Maria Bressi.

Roy Greagor by Danny and Sandee Ciesluk and family.

Robert M. Grimm by Joseph W. Kleinschmidt, Therese and Margie Kleinschmidt.

Ronald Hatter by Shamokin Area Educators Association.

Joseph James by Tony Rosini, Chip and Janet Shurock, Autumn and Alexa White and Zachary Yanick.

George A. John Jr. by Ann Fidler and family.

Dr. John Kallaway by Joe, John and Maria Bressi.

Allen S. Kline by Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Robert and Nancy Pasco and son.

Patricia Kline by Joe, John and Maria Bressi.

Walter Kosmer by Kosmer family.

Gerald Kramer by Bill and Helen Kuzmick and family, Shamokin High School Class of 1960.

James Lebo by Cal and Roseanne Harris.

Reilly Cash Lehman by Mam and Pap Lewis.

Doris Leonard by Coal Township Class of 1960.

Daniel Lubreski by Jim and Diane Luberecki.

Gilbert Lupold by Shamokin High School Class of 1961.

Ethel Wyn Mikalonis by JoAnn Little.

Anna Milbrand by Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Marie Kosmer.

John E. and Joan C. Miller by John W. Miller.

Edward O'Brien by Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Pat and Jim Bressi, Rosann and Tom Hall, David Osevala and Family, Jacque Robel, Jeanne and Paul Shuey, Ron and Kathy Zyla.

Thomas Patrick by Mary Jane and Jerome Barcavage.

Daniel R. "Dixie" Richardson by Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Brosius family and Lloyd and John, Jeffrey and Kathleen Clutcher, Deborah Kashnoski, Bob and Annette Sandri and family, Shamokin Police Department, Cecelia Zurick.

Gloria Esther Schrader by Shamokin High School Class of 1945.

Dennis Sheriff by Joanne Behney, Andy and Sherry Bogush, Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Michael and Corrine Carpenter, Tom and Rhonda Eckman, Allen and Irene Grow, Mary Jane Grow, Tina and Wayne Grow, Rosann and Tom Hall, Jonathan, Lindsay and Brock, Kristen, Tim and Gavin, Jean and Jan Price, Albina Primerano, Shamokin High School Class of 1969, Peg and Dan Smink, Charmaine and Barry Smith, Ron and Kathy Zyla.

Albert Sidisky by Dorothy Doncheski, Bob and Mary Ann Hartman, Shamokin Senior Action Center.

Glenn Snyder Sr. by Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Mary Anne Bixler and Don Manley Sr. and Judy and Luther Jones, Charles Breining and Jeanette Burba, Robert and Nancy Pasco and son, Rescue Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 3, Shamokin Police Department, Don and Joannie Yuricich.

Daniel C. Stoud Sr. by Joe, John and Maria Bressi, Susan and David Candelora and family, Danny and Sandee Ciesluk and family, Williams family.

David Thompson by Danny and Sandee Ciesluk and family, Don and Joannie Yuricich.

Rita Wehr by Coal Township High School Class of 1964, Marian Edmondson, Irvin Liachowitz, Rick, Jess, Kate and Owen.

Anthony Wilk by Shamokin Area High School Class of 1969.

Neal E. Williams by Peggy Brosius, George and Linda Long, Don and Marian Myers, Edward and Eileen Ramage, Residents of the Lincoln Towers Flower Fund.

Contributions to the Memorial Fund:

Richard Beierschmitt by Bob and Suzanne (Silvano) Starke.

Peter Brown by Mary and Sid Tharp.

Bertha Dietrich by Don and Joannie Yuricich.

Mary Katheryn Duke by Norma and Bob Albert.

Joseph James by Don and Joannie Yuricich.

Gerald Kramer by Jason, Kelly and Colton Lynch.

Dennis Sheriff by Mr. and Mrs. Gene Koch, Amy, Matt, Lake and Hunter Rodarmel, Suzanne and Bob Starke.

Albert Sidisky by Bob and Suzanne Starke.

Charley Tamkus by Mom, Dad and family.

Joseph Tarchie by Bob and Suzanne Starke.

Honor a loved one and place a permanent memorial in the Library Century Club.

Music in the Park schedule set

SUNBURY - Each Tuesday at 6 p.m. this summer, Sunbury will host a band or singer at the gazebo for Music in the Park at Cameron Park.

In July, the Ann Kerstetter Band will play July 2; Bill Dee and Rosie will play July; Smooth Country will play July 16; KJ will play July 23, and Jim "The Singing Mailman" McClingy will play July 30.

In August, the Ann Kerstetter Band will play Aug. 6; Jim "The Singing Mailman" McClingy will play Aug 13; Michala Wagner will play Aug. 20, and Past Country will play Aug. 27.

In September, Timothy's Burden will play Sept. 3, and Kill Scheme will play Sept. 10.

Firemen's Association convention

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - The 110th annual Six-County Firemen's Association convention will be returning to Schuylkill County this year as Schuylkill Haven holds the event for the first time. Hosted by Schuylkill Hose Company No. 2, the convention will be held Thursday through Saturday.

The delegates banquet will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at the First United Church of Christ, 110 Route 61. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. The Walter Sawchak Fire Prevention Award, the Valor Awards and the Courage Awards will be presented during this banquet.

The convention meetings will open at 10 a.m. Friday at the church with registration starting at 9 a.m.

The annual convention parade will start at 2 p.m. Saturday. Registration will be held at the fire company from 9 a.m. to noon. Inspection of apparatus will be held at Penn State Schuylkill Campus from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Thirty-eight trophies will be awarded to the six-county units, 13 will be awarded to non six-county units and 35 to either category. Companies that are not current with their dues or are not members will be judged in the non-county category.

Food, refreshments and entertainment will be available at the fire company following the parade. Souvenir shirts, hats and mugs will be available during the convention.

The first convention was held in 1904 at the Diamond Fire Company No. 2 in Hazleton. John Spohr, of Hazleton, was elected the first president of the association.

MOUNT CARMEL - The organizers and participants of the Mount Carmel Area Relay For Life loved having the event in the town park so much that they have already decided to come back next year.

Police Chief Todd Owens, during the closing ceremonies, told the final lap participants that all the feedback he received was that the town park was better than the Silver Bowl and whoever had the idea to switch deserved and award.

"The park is so under utilized, and it was good getting people coming back to it," he said.

Co-chairwomen Ashley Pyle agreed, describing the amount of interaction between the 10 teams.

"It was amazing. Everyone came together as a group," she said.

At the Silver Bowl in previous years, people were spread out and there was very little shade to take cover under from the hot sun, she said.

Unlike the stadium, town park does not have a circular track. So organizers weaved walking paths throughout the property, which Pyle alluded to in the opening ceremony by telling the organizers Saturday that cancer, too, doesn't take the same path. Melissa Katch, accounting/registration chair, said she was pleased with the camaraderie of the teams as well.

Also, the fact that the event coincided with Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church picnic "was a benefit to both organizations," she said.

Pyle said one of the highlights of the 24 hours was the crowning of Ms. Relay, a competition geared toward the guys at the relay. The gentlemen wore evening gowns, dresses or grass skirts, and then asked for donations from the crowd. Whichever man had the most money at the end of the competition was crowned the winner.

Borough Police Patrolman Matthew Dillman beat four other competitors with a black wig and short black dress.

The goal of the Relay was $23,000, but only $19,000 was collected by the end of the Relay at noon Saturday.

However, Ilyse Hampton, staff partner for the American Cancer Society, said more funds are expected to be brought in the next few weeks, and two more events - a softball tournament and a kids' activity - are tentatively planned for later this year.

The goal is expected to be reach with the additional events, she said.

HERNDON - The honor roll for the fourth marking period at Line Mountain Junior-Senior High School has been announced.

Distinguished honor roll

12th grade - Colton Bowman, Kaitlyn Boyer, Dylan Buddock, Katia Carl, Kelsey Derrick, Dylon Failor, Dalton Frits, Heidi Gessner, William Grove, Britton Heim, Lucas Hoffman, Zachery Kemberling, Tia Kissinger, Ciera Lahr, Alexis Lee, Alyssa Letterman, Jade London, Kyle Mace, Casey Masser, Ryan Paczkoskie, Kerri Pickett, Jeremy Renn, Samantha Schlegel, Steven Shepperson, Abbie Shervinskie, Erik Smeltz, Olivia Souder, Brittany Straub, Autumn Wehry, Joseph Weiler and Victoria Wolfe.

11th grade - Paige Adams, Hannah Campbell, Kaitlyn Kembel, Janelle Lahr, Shandi Lenker, Dillon London, Brooke Long, Olivia Poltonavage, Courtlyn Trautman, Brianna Wagner, Falconer Walshaw-Wertz, Jessica Wittig and Allison Wolfe.

10th grade - Breanna Boyer, Kristen Erdman, Mary Erdman, Samantha Hertz, Skyler Hoover, Isabel Kissinger, Amanda Klinger, Blair-Anne Klinger, Michael Lessing, Deidre Long, Meredith Long, Candis Mattern, Kortnee Schwartz and Sherylyn Wilkinson.

Ninth-grade - Maddison Adams, Dylan Bartholomew, Michaela Bensinger, Britney Bidding, Maddy Carl, Rachel Clark, Amanda Deeben, Christopher Deppen, Mikayla Derck, Olivia Elia, Kristin Erdman, Laine Hackenberg, Wade Houseman, Morgan Hunsberger, Quentin Kaleta, Tommy Kittle, Dylan Latsha, Jonathan Lenker, Makayla Lorenz, Kiana Lukoskie, Kurt Mace, Crystyn Masser, Rebecca Masser, Chloe Poltonavage, David Savidge, Lauren Scheib, Briana Shervinskie, Abriana Smink, Teresa Stutzman, Cheyenne Weiser, Yvonne Wittig and Gabrielle Yerger.

Eighth-grade - Brianna Adams, Nicole Adams, Austin Balavage, Benjamin Bidding, Autumn Bohner, Aryanna Boyer, Victoria Duffy, Nathan Dunkelbeger, Breanna Ebright, Samuel Ferster, Megan Finlan, Grace Halfen, Katiemae Hoffman, Justin Kaleta, Myah King, Mia Kissinger, Collin Klinger, Autumn Kritzer, Bailey Masser, Breanna Minnier, Dalton Mulberger, Brent Osman, Alexander Rissinger, Colton Schaible, Dawson Scott, Joelle Snyder, Kaitlyn Troutman, Meadow Walshaw-Wertz, Tyahva Wilhour, Christian Williams, Jacob Wolfe, Victoria Wolfe and Mekeala Woods.

Seventh-grade - Sierra Bobb, Tyler Boyer, Kyle Brosh, Danielle Collazo, Tyler D'Alesandro, Brookelynn Day, Kayla Ebersole, Jacob Foulds, Camilla Gessner, Baylee Hawk, Hunter Herb, Nathan Hoffman, Rachel Keiter, Margo Kessler, Christopher Koperna, Kolden Kosmer, Alyssa Lambert, Kylee Lerch, Wesley Long, Lillia Lucas, Maura Lundy, James Masser, Kayla Ray, Craig Reichard, Audrianna Reiner, Andrew Rissinger, Natalie Scheib, Rogen Shaffer, Jordan Smith, Karl Troutman, Sadie Walshaw, Colton Wehry, Emily Wolfe and Emily Zerbe.

Honor roll

12th-grade - Michael Benner, Dylan Brosius, Savannah Copson, Shawn DeLong, Amanda Feger, Danielle Flynn, Greg Harris, Charles Hoffman, Joseph Katalinas, Garret Lahr, Kimberly Latsha, Nathan Levan, Michael Lorenz, Brooklynn Marquette-Hulsizer, Dillan Michael, Tyler Moyer, Carl Pollard, Nicholas Seybert, Courtney Whary, Cody Whitcomb, Tysha Wilhour and Kyle Zimmerman.

11th-grade - Nikolas Bigger, Kaitlyn Erdman, Kylee Heintzelman, Alyssa Johnston, Madison Lagerman, Kaleb Portzline, Stephany Reader, Kelsea Rebuck, Madeline Reed, Kalan Schlegel, Samuel Scretching, Colleen Troutman, Alicia Vogel, Cory Warford and Jessica Zimmerman.

10th-grade - Alexandra Balavage, Justin Boyer, Keyla Brill, Christopher Erdman, Corina Finlan, Sabrina Hertz, Shania Kerstetter, Olivia Kleman, Christian Lerch, Jayci London, Matthew Long, Selah Lucas, Chad Mace, Jordan Norgaard, Madison Reed, Logan Shaffer, Logan Snyder, Tanner Spatzer and Ashley Young.

Ninth-grade - Austin Baumert, Carissa Burns, Katelyn Campbell, Michaela Haddock, Austin Harris, Kourtney Heintzelman, Logan Ingram, Shjon Kern, Galen Kerstetter, Ashley Pennell, Brendan Renn, Emily Riehl, Kadence Selig, Zain Surowiak, Elizabeth Teitter, Raiden Wiest, Abby Witmer, Alison Wolfe, Courtney Yeager and Daniel Zerbe.

Eighth-grade - Kenneth Boyer, Kayla Brosious, Colyn Buddock, Arianna Davidson, Brian Earlston, Makenzie Erdman, Cheyenne Fetterhoff, William Foulds, Samantha Fuller, Coby Grimaud, Cole Hauck, Abigail Hetzendorf, Bryce Hoffman, Garrett Kieffer, Logan Klinger, Noel Lagerman, Ashley Lambert, Damien Lasko, Destiny Latsha, Alexa Michaels, Desarae Moore, Collin Ney, Lucas Norgaard, Hali Phillips, Kylee Rosso, Kai Smith, Kolby Smith, Sarah Stutzman, James Weiler, Ashley Wilga and Claire Witmer.

Seventh-grade - Brittany Bendas, Gage Bowers, Dillan Brown, John Hackenberg, Cassidy Koperna, Austin Lahr, Ethan Long, Robert Malafi, Jaron Renn, Charrly Ruiz-Mulvehill, Brent Shaffer, Emily Shepley, Brandon Shirk, Chloe Snyder, Janessa Snyder, Lacey Snyder, Caleb Spotts, Bradyn Thomas, Maria Troutman and Nathan Troutman.

The following landlord/tenant claims and judgments were filed in magisterial district court:

Office of John Gembic III, Shamokin

- Cenral Pennsylvania Petroleum LLC, of Tampa, Fla., against Akshar Business Service (KMPA) LLC, of Corona, Calif., for $8,616. Filed June 20. A hearing is scheduled for July 16.

- Kyle Mirolli, of Shamokin, against Billy Jo Paul, of Coal Township, for $1,400. Filed June 18. A hearing is scheduled for July 11.

- Shamokin Housing Authority, of Shamokin, against Eric Maurer and Lena Yost, of Shamokin, for $685. Filed June 18. A hearing is scheduled for July 11.

- Costello Reality Inc., of Mount Carmel, against John McGinley, of Shamokin, for $770. Filed June 17. A hearing is scheduled for July 8.

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Rainbow Club met at Our Lady of Hope hall for their monthly meeting.

Ruth Romanoski, president, opened the meeting with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Over 50 song. The diocesan president, Edna Keister, has been ill and asked for prayers.

Plans were discussed for covered dishes at the July meeting, and those attending are encouraged to bring a special dish.

Florence Verano, treasurer, gave her report on the club, and also on the travel club.

On July 11, there will be a trip to Hunterdon Hills to "The Great American Songbook 4." The bus will leave the parking lot at 8 a.m.

Rose Witt was introduced as a new member. The meetings are open to anyone. Call Ruth Romanoski at 648-3438 for more information.

Goldie Kestetter won the attendance award.

50/50 winners were Joe Dobson and Barbara Yuricich.

Romanoski closed the meeting with a prayer.

Railroad crossing

CATAWISSA - Motorists who travel Route 42 (Rupert Drive) in Montour Township are advised that North Shore Railroad plans to replace the crossing just west of Catawissa starting Friday. A five-day detour will be in effect using Routes 11 and 487.

Finkbeiner & Associates, will remove the existing rubber at-grade crossing and replace it with a concrete surface. Completion is set for July 2.

KULPMONT - When the San Marziale Parade restarted in 2011, it was heralded as the renewal of a borough tradition.

Now, a tradition within that tradition will also restart. The Our Boys Band will perform for the first time in many years as part of the Sunday, July 7, event, in which paraders march with the statue of San Marziale.

"With the band involved, we are hoping for a great turnout," said Christopher Bressi, an organizer. "These guys are legendary and words can't describe how thrilled we are to be part of their return to action."

The band is being organized by Bill Milbrand, director of Our Shamokin Band, who was more than happy to be part of the event.

"It is great to see communities bring back the ethnic traditions we grew up with," Milbrand said. "When the organizers asked for my help, my heart started beating about 90 miles an hour."

Milbrand said there was one catch: he wanted the blessing of the Kulpmont-based band's past director, Angelo Alexander Jr.

"'Junior' was the director for the band for many years and was the last director before the band folded. I wanted to speak with him before I did anything," Milbrand said.

It was Alexander's father, Angelo Sr., who formed the band in 1921 and ran it until his health declined and his son took over, according to Milbrand.

After a 90-minute conversation between the two on Alexander's porch, the Kulpmont band director gave his approval, and the band was on board.

A musical tribute

Five former Our Boys Band members have committed to playing in the San Marziale Parade, and Milbrand said between community volunteers and members of the Mount Carmel Area and Line Mountain marchingbBands, they are expected to have a full set of musicians to play the Italian symphonic marches.

"I'm going to have Junior involved, too," Milbrand said. "I want him to direct the band when we are at the church playing when the statue comes out and when it goes back in."

As the band and members of the faithful march through the streets, the statue of San Marziale, the patron saint of Isca sull' Ionio, in Calabria, Italy, will join them.

"The town was the birthplace of many Italian immigrants who came to America, eventually settling in the Coal Region, for a better life," Bressi said.

Legend of St. Marziale

According to legend, St. Marziale was the youngest of seven sons, known as the seven martyrs, of St. Felicitas and is also the patron saint of Torricella Peligna in the Abruzzo region of Italy.

The parade coincides with his feast day of July 10. Onlookers can pin money to the statue; the money will be donated to Holy Angels Church.

"It's now all about turnout and involvement," Bressi said. "The more involvement by the community and local businesses, the bigger and better this event will continue to get for years to come."

The parade will begin at 1 p.m. at Holy Angels Church, 855 Scott St. Those who will participate and march are asked to meet at the church for 12:30 p.m. and will be welcome for food and refreshments at the Holy Angels picnic grounds following the event.

The event is coordinated and sponsored by Bressi Family Foods, Landscape Services, Holy Angels Church and its Holy Name Society, the Kulpmont Council of the Knights of Columbus and various dedicated individuals and businesses.

Any local businesses or individuals who want to be a named or anonymous sponsor can contact Bressi at 373-9433 or Tom Letcavage at Landscape Services at 274-1508.

KULPMONT - Borough officials are giving the owners of a Poplar Street property 48 hours to clean up the debris left behind when the wall and window of an abandoned modular home collapsed onto the lawn Monday afternoon.

Failure to do so will result in citations, said Code Enforcement Officer Russ Moroz.

Meanwhile, a wall of plywood will be placed around the blighted property of 1121 Poplar St. this morning to prevent anyone from coming onto the lot and injuring themselves, he said.

The house, which is believed to be owned by the children or grandchildren of the late Rita Zdan, has been vacant for at least 15 years, said neighbors.

Now, said Mike Eggen, of 1126 Poplar St., "All hell broke loose. Maybe it's about time. No one wants to do anything about it."

Eggen, who lives directly across the street from the property, was the one who alerted police and borough officials to the partial collapse Monday at 4 p.m.

In fact, he was the one who prompted the code enforcement officer to place an orange fence and police tape around the property earlier this year when the siding started sagging off the structure.

"It's been going on a long time. It's a public safety issue," he said.

Eggen said he was worried for the safety of the local children, pointing out at least a dozen watching the borough officials and fire fighters investigate the scene among the crowd of residents gathered on the sidewalk.

Pieces of rotted wood and siding were laying on the grass in front of the modular home, leaving a hole in the side of the building. Inside, a large appliance and a painting of Jesus hanging on the wall could be seen.

Moroz said the property has been up for judicial sale several times, but the owners would pay the back taxes in order to avoid losing it.

Moroz was joined by Mayor Myron Turlis and Police Chief Richard Wilson III at the scene.

"It's getting worse. The owners obviously doesn't want to work with us," Turlis said.

Other than securing the perimeter and fining the owners, Turlis said they will consult with the Northumberland County Blight Task Force to see if any funds are available for the borough to use.

The blighted property is a top priority, he said.

Provost Prize

GLENSIDE - Amy Besser, a 2011 graduate of Mount Carmel Area Junior-Senior High School, has been awarded the Provost's Prize for the sophomore with the highest cumulative average for three semesters of study at Arcadia University.

She was named to the university dean's distinguished list for the spring semester.

A video communications major, Besser will study abroad next semester at Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.

She is a daughter of Dave and Cathy Besser and a granddaughter of Bob and Cathy Welker.

DANVILLE - Geisinger and Lewistown Hospital officials have signed off on a plan to merge, pending regulatory review by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and approval by the state Attorney General's Office and other federal regulators which is expected in about three months.

The Geisinger Health System Foundation Board of Directors voted Thursday to approve an agreement it has been working on with the leadership of Lewistown Healthcare Foundation. The board at Lewistown Hospital voted its approval of the merger agreement on Wednesday in a 216-17 vote, Geisinger reported Monday.

Both Geisinger and Lewistown Hospital have been completing legal and operational due diligence since signing a letter of intent in December.

The Lewistown merger follows Geisinger's merger with Shamokin Area Community Hospital, Community Medical Center in Scranton and The Bloomsburg Hospital.

Geisinger plans to keep Lewistown Hospital open as the acute care hospital in the region; invest capital commitment in excess of $50 million to allow for facility upgrades, renovations to patient care rooms and completion of Big Valley clinic in Belleville; keep all staff to the extent possible with comparable benefits/compensation; maintain an open medical staff with the intent of keeping all physicians - independent, employed and contracted - to the extent possible; continue participation with insurances currently in place at Lewistown Hospital; keep the School of Nursing open; recruit needed specialists to the area to ensure more health care services locally; meet or exceed Lewistown Hospital Foundation's charity and self-pay programs; assume the long-term debt and unfunded liability of the Lewistown Hospital Foundation's pension plan; create a new Community Advisory Board and maintain local identity with the name Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital.

Lewistown Hospital and Geisinger already work together in a number of ways, including the hospitalist, tele-stroke, tele-echo and eICU programs at the hospital. The multi-specialty Geisinger-Lewistown physician practice has served the community since 1983, and a second primary care practice is located in Juniata. Geisinger acquired Lewistown Cardiology Associates in October 2011 and Juniata Valley Gastroenterology Associates and Endoscopy Center in May 2012.

SHAMOKIN - A 15-year-old male from Coal Township has been charged with multiple felonies for allegedly stealing a handgun from a truck on South Shamokin Street Friday morning.

The teen is accused of removing a black Davis Industries P-380 .38-caliber handgun belonging to Tony Getchey, of 48 S. Shamokin St. Police said the gun was stolen between midnight and 6:30 a.m. while Getchey's truck was parked in his driveway.

The juvenile, who police say was identified through home security cameras, was located walking in the first block of North Shamokin Street at 7:10 p.m. Friday and taken into custody.

Interviewed by police in the presence of his mother, the teen admitted to trying to enter several vehicles on Rock Street in search of money, but initially denied stealing the gun before later confessing to the crime, police said.

After stealing the gun, the juvenile told police he realized he didn't want it. Police said the teen then entered an abandoned property at 14 S. Shamokin St. and hid the gun in a decorative fireplace on the first floor, where it was recovered by police at 9:25 p.m. Friday.

Cpl. Darwin Tobias III filed a juvenile petition against the teen charging him with felonies of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, possession of a firearm by a minor and criminal trespass and misdemeanors of theft from a motor vehicle and loitering and prowling at night.

Chief of Police Edward Griffiths, who commended Tobias for making a quick arrest, warned residents to keep their vehicles and residences locked.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Lower Anthracite Transportation System (LATS) has added a Knoebels Amusement Resort route that's being used by park visitors and employees.

LATS Executive Director Megan Janolek said Monday the plan to add a third route to the six-day schedule that takes riders to Knoebels was approved in early June by PennDOT, and the new line has been running smoothly since June 10.

The $2 charge for one way is an inexpensive way for residents to access a local tourist attraction but also for workers to get to the park - even if the ride takes a bit longer than a normal drive.

LATS is a government-funded entity managed by Mount Carmel Borough and designed to provide affordable public transportation in eastern Northumberland County.

Janolek, who was appointed as LATS executive director in July, has been praised by borough council members for better record-keeping, identifying concerns and changing LATS routes for better time and efficiency that has led to higher ridership and fare revenue.

19 locations

A bus to Knoebels runs Monday through Friday until the end of August, and it pick ups passengers at 19 locations.

As an example of the timing, riders who board at 9:08 a.m. at Weis in Coal Township will reach the park at 10:30 a.m. after stopping at the other 18 locations. Then, the bus heads back to Weis for an 11:08 a.m. pickup to start the cycle again.

The first two trips of the day are for riding to the park only and straight back to the pickup sites. The next two trips operate along the route in both directions to allow rides to and from the park. And the final trip of the day are for returns from the park only.

Pickup for trips back from Knoebels are at 3 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The Knoebels run will be serviced by one of the three 29-seat 2003 Thomas Transit Buses operated by LATS. Currently, LATS' Shamokin run is also serviced by one of the larger buses, and the Mount Carmel run is serviced by the transit company's only 21-seat 2009 Chevrolet Transit Bus.

This new route will have no affect on the current routes, Janolek said.

The Shamokin and Mount Carmel routes will run from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. All fares will be $1 every time a rider steps on a bus. Children under the age of 4 will ride for free, and children ages 5 to 10 will ride for half price.

Seniors over 65 ride free, because of programs subsidized by the Pennsylvania Lottery. Funding for LATS comes mostly from federal and state grants through PennDOT and the Lottery Senior Citizen Free Transit Fund.

Janolek said she will be meeting with Coal Township-based Catawese Coach Lines management today to discuss the final arrangements of the contract to provide operators and other services for the transportation system. Last week, Mount Carmel Borough Council unanimously gave their final approval for the contract.

A PennDOT consultant will also be reviewing the LATS routes and rates for efficiency, she said.

For the full Knoebels schedule, call 339-3956 or look for LATS on Facebook.

SHAMOKIN - The following hearings took place June 18 before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III. Defendants ordered to appear for plea court July 29 in Northumberland County Court, Sunbury, can plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.

n Robert W. Miller II, 32, of 1109 Scott St., Kulpmont, pleaded guilty to retail theft and was ordered to pay a $100 fine plus costs.

Miller was charged by Coal Township Patrolman Matthew Hashuga with stealing $6.60 worth of merchandise from Walmart Supercenter, Route 61, on Jan. 20. Police said Miller has one prior conviction for retail theft.

n Donna McDonald, 30, of 550 N. Market St., Apt. A4, Shamokin, waived to court charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of criminal conspiracy and possession of spice, cocaine and heroin.

McDonald was charged by Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano in connection with an April 24 incident at her residence.

n William Byrd, 27, of 615 N. Shamokin St., Apt. 4, Shamokin, waived to court multiple charges filed by Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano involving incidents on April 22, April 24 and April 25 in Shamokin.

He is charged with delivering two packets of heroin to an informant for $75, possessing with intent to deliver heroin and criminal use of a communication facility. He also is charged with delivering two packets of heroin to an informant for $70, possessing with intent to deliver heroin and criminal use of a communication facility. A third complaint charges Byrd with delivering five packets of heroin to an informant for $160, possession with intent to deliver heroin, criminal use of a communication facility, possession of heroin and marijuana and possession of a small amount of marijuana.

n Dennis A. Hynes, 21, of 1745 Tioga St., Coal Township, pleaded guilty to furnishing alcohol to minors and was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine plus costs and placed on supervised probation for one year.

Hynes was charged by Shamokin Cpl. Bryan Primerano with furnishing beer to a minor May 10 on Independence Street.

An additional count of furnishing alcohol to minors filed against Hynes by Shamokin Patrolman Raymond Siko II was withdrawn. Hynes had been charged with furnishing alcohol to a 19-year-old male and 16-year-old female March 31 in the 700 block of Bear Valley Avenue.

Sisters charged

SHAMOKIN - Molly Bell, 21, of 655 Bear Valley Ave., Shamokin, and her sister, Samantha Marie Bell, 24, of 406 S. Market St., Shamokin, have been charged by Cpl. Bryan Primerano with assaulting Holly Madden and a 13-year-old girl shortly before 7 p.m. June 12 in front of CVS Pharmacy on West Independence Street.

Police charge the siblings grabbed Madden by the hair and punched her numerous times and also struck the juvenile before fleeing the scene in a vehicle. Madden suffered injuries in the assault and underwent emergency room treatment at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, police said.

Release 'the dogs'

SHAMOKIN - Matthew B. Raynor, 27, of 101 S. Franklin St., Shamokin, has been charged by Cpl. Bryan Primerano with public drunkenness and two counts of disorderly conduct relating to a disturbance outside his residence at 12:25 a.m. Thursday.

Upon being handcuffed, police said Raynor became more combative, began shouting obscenities and yelled for a female associate to release "the dogs" on police. While en route to Shamokin Police Station, Raynor allegedly attempted to kick out a rear window on a cruiser.

Disorderly conduct

SHAMOKIN - Cpl. Darwin Tobias III has charged James H. Mitchell, 76, of 204 S. Pearl St., Shamokin, with disorderly conduct and public drunkenness involving a disturbance at 12:45 a.m. Thursday near his home.

Police reported Mitchell threatened others while walking around with a 12-inch knife.

Barking dogs

SHAMOKIN - Lita Maguire, 22, of 38 N. Third St., Shamokin, was cited by Patrolman Scott Weaver for allowing her dogs to bark continuously at 10:35 p.m. Thursday, disturbing neighbors.

Harassment

SHAMOKIN - Ashley McElhone, 18, of 918 N. Rock St., Shamokin, was cited by Patrolman Scott Weaver for harassment for allegedly repeatedly texting Amanda Swartzlander, 27, of 553 N. Third St., Shamokin, shortly after 6 p.m. June 18.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County commissioners will conduct a special meeting at 11 a.m. Wednesday to vote on awarding a contract for a countywide radio communications system.

Chief Clerk Gary Steffen said the new system will be capable of providing dispatching services for the entire county, including the northern end that is currently supplied 911 services by Union County.

Steffen said the commissioners will not make a decision at the meeting about providing dispatching services for the northern end of the county. He said that issue is still being reviewed.

In May, commissioners reported the price tag for upgrades to the county communications center will not be as steep as originally thought. Estimates were up to $12 million, but a proposal submitted by Motorola Solutions of Columbia, Md., lists the base price of a "VHF-trunked" system at approximately $5.5 million, excluding pagers, radios and other equipment, which could cost up to $1 million.

Five companies submitted bids, but only Motorola included a proposal for the trunked system. Motorola also submitted a separate proposal for pagers, mobile and portable radios for $965,508.20, and a discounted price of $665,508.20 if the county accepted its proposal for the main system.

Bids were also received from Leavitt Communication LLC, Paradise Valley, Ariz, for 490 regular pagers ($332.75 each) and 490 voice pagers ($368 each); United Communication Corp., St. Charles, Mo., for 490 pagers at a total of $182,408; Relm Wireless, Hagerstown, Md., for mobile and portable radios, $391,709.70, and Tactical Public Safety, West Berlin, N.J., for different style radios and optional equipment.

In December, the county received notification that its deadline to meet the federal mandate for the 911 upgrades was extended by the Federal Communications Commission to Dec. 31, 2013.

The county, which originally sought an extension until March 1, 2014, entered into a contract in November with Mission Critical Partners, State College, for approximately $450,000 for consulting services for the upgrades.

At a June 4 commissioners' meeting, fire and government officials from the northern end of the county voiced several concerns over the pending decision by the county commissioners involving upgrades to the county communications center.

Crossing work expected to start on Saturday

CATAWISSA - The detour for the North Shore Railroad's planned crossing replacement on Route 42 (Rupert Drive) just west of Catawissa will start Saturday morning, not Friday as reported in Tuesday's edition. PennDOT had changed the original start time.

The five-day detour will use Routes 11 and 487. The contractor will remove the existing rubber at-grade crossing and replace it with a new concrete surface. Anticipated completion is now late afternoon Wednesday, July 3.

Bridge replacement

PILLOW - A PennDOT bridge crew will begin a bridge replacement project on Park Road July 1.

The existing 17-foot state-owned bridge was built in 1933 and is currently classified as structurally deficient. It carries Park Road over a tributary to Mahantango Creek, about one-eighth of a mile north of Klingerstown Road, a short distance east of Pillow.

This work includes removing the existing bridge, placing a new precast concrete box culvert on the same alignment, pouring new curbs, upgrading guiderail and paving the box and both roadway approaches.

While the work is under way, the road will be closed and traffic will be detoured to Troutmans Lane, Meeting House Road and Klingerstown Road.

The new bridge is scheduled to be open to traffic by mid-August.